I dont see how e.g. arch would be super hard to maintain.
There is a nice GUI program for installing programs and updates. (like many modern distros)
If you dont want to set everything up, go with Endeavour or Garuda.
I find rolling release to be easier to maintain and keep up to date than non-rolling.
Specially if you want up to date packages for desktop use.
What i have a problem is the developer accessebility.
I want to build my own sensors into boards and use those, but the devboards are so expensive, its not worth it.
A board with an esp8266 costs just 1-2€, with zigbee its 20-25€.
Might aswell go for the new esp32 versions now and use thread.. and its still cheaper.
(though that wasnt an option a few years back, best option there was esp-mesh which kinda sucked)